Do I need a vang if I have a traveler?

[umphrey1012]

Recently bought a Hunter 27 and it has a cabin-mounted mainsheet traveler, but does not have a boom vang. As I understand it, the traveler can act to hold the boom down on upwind points of sail but a boom vang is needed when sailing downwind since the mainsheet is eased out.

So do I need to get a boom vang as well or is the traveller sufficient?

 

[Chief RA]

Yes you will need a boom vang. Chief

 

[umphrey1012]

Yes you will need a boom vang. Chief

Thanks, adding it to the list.

 

[Benny17441]

Not only on a downwind run but even on a reach the boom will try to lift. I sailed an h27 Cherubini for some years and the addition of a boom-vang made a significant difference in performance. It allowed to optimize sail trim and reduce heeling.

 

[jdhohmann]

We haven't used our boom vang on our hunter 40 for years. And the difference between using it and not using it is not noticable under most conditions. Mind you, our boom is like 10" deep and 6" wide, so by itself it probally is not being affected too much and strong enough to resist any torqueing

 

[Jackdaw]

We haven't used our boom vang on our hunter 40 for years. And the difference between using it and not using it is not noticable under most conditions. Mind you, our boom is like 10" deep and 6" wide, so by itself it probally is not being affected too much and strong enough to resist any torqueing

The physical size of your boom does does not factor in this question, as the boom will always be proportional to the load the wind creates on the attached sail.

If you have been sailing for years without a vang and have not noticed the difference, then you haven't been paying attention. Along with the mainsheet, the vang controls the TWIST in the shape of the mainsail, and when off the wind, it is the only control that can maintain proper twist.

Bottom line: If you are at all interesting in maintaining proper sail trim, you need both.

 

[Chief RA]

Jackdaw: I started to comment on this but figured you would get it. There sure is a great difference in owning a sailboat and sailing it! Chief

 

[Meriachee]

There are a number of nice gas units out there that are relatively cheap, and provide the added benefit of holding the boom up while the sail is being deployed or stowed, much more effectively than a topping lift will. We added the little Garhauer three years ago and love it. You can add or remove twist quickly, but it's not "locked down" in as much as the mainsheet will compress it. I'd never go back to blocks.

Cheers
Gary

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yes, you can get a soft or rigid vang. Garhauer is a great source for both (or either).

 

[RichH]

The physical size of your boom does does not factor in this question, as the boom will always be proportional to the load the wind creates on the attached sail.

If you have been sailing for years without a vang and have not noticed the difference, then you haven't been paying attention. Along with the mainsheet, the vang controls the TWIST in the shape of the mainsail, and when off the wind, it is the only control that can maintain proper twist.

Bottom line: If you are at all interested in maintaining proper sail trim, you need both.

Good post by Jackdaw.

In addition, if the boom swings further outboard than the end of the traveller track and well beyond and well in front of that traveller, ... without a vang to 'take over' there will be little downforce applied to the boom and it will then rise.
you need both.

 

[McIntoshUSA]

I have a 1987 Newport 30 that does not have a Boom Vang. Reading this thread, it sounds like I should have one. I guess I work notice a difference if I installed one? How would I know what size of a Boom Vang I would need. Any recommendations on size, brand, installation, etc.

Thanks

 

[Chief RA]

Just go on www.defender.com and look them up. It will give boat size. Chief

 

[Meriachee]

I have a 1987 Newport 30 that does not have a Boom Vang. Reading this thread, it sounds like I should have one. I guess I work notice a difference if I installed one? How would I know what size of a Boom Vang I would need. Any recommendations on size, brand, installation, etc. Thanks

The Garhauer site shows boat sizes in the catalog. There are kits with lines included.

 

[Don Guillette]

Recently bought a Hunter 27 and it has a cabin-mounted mainsheet traveler, but does not have a boom vang. As I understand it, the traveler can act to hold the boom down on upwind points of sail but a boom vang is needed when sailing downwind since the mainsheet is eased out.

So do I need to get a boom vang as well or is the traveller sufficient?

They both control different elements that are separate from each other. The TRAVELER controls angle of attack and the BOOM VANG is the primary sail trim control (the mainsheet is the secondary control) for TWIST.

As RichH, Stu J, Jackdaw have indicated you need both. Additionally, the traveler doesn't hold anything down. Think of a screen door with a pin in the corner that rides in a grove in the floor. When you open and close the screen door does the shape of the screen change? Obviously, it doesn't and it's the same thing with the mainsail. When you're hit with a gust, the easiest way to get the boat back on it's feet is to drop the traveler -- you're changing the angle of attack. When the gust passes you just put the traveler back to it's original position and sail merrily on your way. You could just use the mainsheet but the traveler is more effective because you're not changing the shape of the sail.

 

[trainmanjess]

hello

I agree you need both the traveler and vang....

on my small boat (67 Kittiwake 23) I use the vang for 2 purposes... 1 - to control the trim of my mainsail... 2 - when sailing downwind, I use it like a preventer to keep the boom out so I can sail wing on wing... as a preventer, it keeps the boom from swinging back unintentially when sailing downwind....

sincerely
Jess

 

[umphrey1012]

Thanks Jess, I was thinking of using it as a preventer as well.

 

[Don Guillette]

Thanks Jess, I was thinking of using it as a preventer as well.

Guys: The boom vang, by itself, can't act as a preventer. You need a way to tie it off or prevent it from swinging across the boat and taking someones head off as all most happened to me in a race from Redondo Beach to Long Beach. Some mates use a bungee cord but that's not a good idea as the force on the sail is hughe and if one of the hooks on the end of the cord are pulled off they can end up as a projectile. Use a piece of line instead. Please excuse me if I've misunderstood what you guys are suggesting.

 

[Jackdaw]

Boom vangs CAN be used as preventers, but best done only in a pinch as a jury rig. You will quickly grow tired of clipping and un clipping it, and the vang is typically loaded when you want to use it as a preventer anyway.

Remember a preventer in (mis)use can be worse than not having one.. Having the boat gibe with a preventer on is not fun. If you're worried about accidental gibes, look into buying or making a gybe BRAKE instead.

 

[Sailor_Jeff]

Been sailing for years with no boom vang. No you don't "need" a boom vang. Well, except to race. And racing it the boom vang will buy you between a nothing and an extra half knot depending. In racing that counts. But if you are already at hull speed, then it won't help. If you want one, then buy it! But don't pretend to "NEED" it.

And, in my humble opinion, I agree with everything the respondents said, except need. But on the other hand we probably do not actually NEED sailboats. But I love mine and WANT to enjoy it.

Be careful, don't misuse equipment, have fun.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Been sailing for years with no boom vang. No you don't "need" a boom vang. Well, except to race. And racing it the boom vang will buy you between a nothing and an extra half knot depending. In racing that counts. But if you are already at hull speed, then it won't help. If you want one, then buy it! But don't pretend to "NEED" it.

I agree about not needing a sailboat, but if you have one, why not sail it correctly?

Pat Royce wrote a wonderful small size but powerful-with-information book called Sailing Illustrated, many years ago, based on his experience with small boats right after WWII. His purpose was to get all the various information about small boats in one handy volume, and he did a remarkable job, pre-internet. The book remains available.

In it, he sketched what happens when you're on a run with no boom vang.

If the breeze gets behind your sail by the lee, while your mainsheet is out (regardless of mid-boom or end boom sheeting), the entire boom could lift, gybe the boat and not do much good to your sail.

If you sail a boat, you should sail it properly, racing or not. There is only ONE way to trim your sails, the right way. It extends the life of your sails, your rigging and, in some cases related to a boom, your head!

Buy and use the vang.